"Hey, you’re finally home!" Aaron exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement as he spotted Adeline approaching the house.
Adeline smiled at her older brother.
It had been a while since she’d seen him, and as usual, he looked like he’d just walked off a battlefield- which, knowing Aaron, was probably true.
He looked cheerful despite everything. His skin was tanned from spending so much time outdoors, and his once neatly trimmed hair had grown longer, framing his face messily.
His clothes were far from what any noble would wear, they were worn out and frayed at the edges, with patches that hinted at rough conditions. If it weren’t for his familiar voice and face, she might’ve mistaken him for a wandering mercenary... Or a hobo.
"Looks like you just got back too," she said, glancing pointedly at his dishevelled state.
Aaron grinned, not the least bit bothered by her remark. "Of course. I wouldn’t miss welcoming you back. How’s my favourite sister?"
"I’m your only sister," Adeline shot back with a smirk, though she appreciated his effort to make her feel at home. It was like old times again.
She adjusted the handle of her suitcase, pulling it along the uneven path toward the house. Ever since her time at the academy, she’d gotten used to doing things on her own. Having servants or maids wait on her felt a bit weird after all this time.
But before she could take another step, Aaron swooped in, lifting her suitcase effortlessly as though it weighed nothing. "Let me help," he said, his voice firm but kind.
Well, if her brother was going to do things for her, why would she say no? She gladly let him do all the work. It could be her way of ’punishing’ him for leaving and rarely visiting.
Still, he came back for her, that thought made her feel very warm. Just knowing that there are people who care about you waiting for you to come, it was sweet. It was also something she lacked in her past life.
He hoisted the suitcase over his shoulder with ease, his broad frame making the gesture seem almost casual. "What kind of brother would I be if I let my little sister do all the work?"
They walked together, the quiet countryside surrounding them. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow both of their lives.
Aaron glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "I’m only staying for a little while, though. This is just a quick visit."
Adeline didn’t respond immediately. She wasn’t surprised. Aaron had always been restless, never content to stay in one place for too long. She’d read about him in the original story, where he became the leader of the knights of Kendrick.
Back then, most of his work was focused on internal stuff... He dealt with the chaos in the Empire, patrolling the Empire and dealing with local disputes. But now, it seemed like he had taken a liking to staying at the border, fighting monsters and facing danger head-on.
"Of course, you’re going back," she finally said, keeping her tone neutral. "You can’t seem to stay away from the action."
Aaron laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "You know me too well. I guess I do crave a little chaos. Sitting around here would just drive me insane."
Adeline shook her head but didn’t press further. She wasn’t sure if Aaron fought on the border because he loved the thrill or because he felt a sense of duty. Maybe it was both.
As they approached the house, Aaron’s grin widened. "Want to know who I saw at the border?"
Adeline raised an eyebrow, already bracing herself for one of his corny jokes or tall tales. "Who?"
"A very familiar face," he teased, dragging out the suspense.
Adeline frowned. "Don’t tell me you’re about to make another joke. I’m not in the mood for—"
"It’s Dimitri," Aaron interrupted, his voice serious this time.
Her heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. Dimitri? Of all the people Aaron could have mentioned, she hadn’t expected him.
"You’re sure it was him?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Aaron nodded. "I’d recognise him anywhere. He’s grown a bit, but it was definitely Dimitri. He’s alive and kicking, and from what I saw, he’s doing pretty well for himself."
Adeline’s mind raced. Why was he in the Empire? Did he leave the Mage Tower? If so, why didn’t he come to her? There were teleportation circles everywhere! It would not have been an impossible task for him to visit the academy... Or home.
She hoped that he still considered the West his home.
"How... How did he look?" she asked quietly, unable to hide her curiosity.
Aaron shrugged. "He looked strong. Confident. Seems like he became some big shot, there was an entourage surrounding him."
Adeline didn’t know what to say. Part of her felt relieved to know that Dimitri was alive and well, but another part of her felt a pang of sadness. At this point, they were strangers, were they not?
It had been years since they saw each other. More than a decade really. She was still happy for him, a big shot... He was always destined for greatness. She never expected anything less of him.
"Did you talk to him?" she finally asked.
Aaron shook his head. "Didn’t get the chance. We were both busy, and it wasn’t exactly the right time for a chat. But he was with a group of mages, so it looks like he found his calling."
"That’s good," she said softly, more to herself than to Aaron.
Aaron studied her face for a moment, his usual grin replaced by a more serious expression. "You miss him, don’t you?"
Adeline hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. I guess I do."
"Well, I do too." Aaron said, his tone lightening, "Maybe you’ll see him again someday. The world’s not as big as it seems."
Adeline gave him a small smile. "Maybe."
They reached the house, and Aaron set her suitcase down by the door. "Come on, let’s get you settled in. You’ve had a long trip."